Types of Commercial Refrigerators: Buying Guide

From cooling to freezing, refrigeration is vital in any kitchen to ensure food safety and standards. Commercial refrigeration units come in a wide variety of constructions and sizes to store all the essential ingredients you use on a daily basis. Before you can choose a refrigerator, you need all the information to make an informed decision. We will walk you through our types of commercial refrigerators buying guide that has all the information needed to help you make the right choice for your needs.

Types of Commercial Refrigerators

There are a wide variety of refrigeration units that different restaurants and commercial kitchens can use to cool ingredients and beverages. The following are common types of commercial refrigerators you might consider for what your commercial business needs.  

• Walk-In Units - A walk-in unit is basically a refrigerated storage room, keeping large quantities. With plenty of space, you can store many bulk items outside or at the receiving bay to help keep large quantities of product cool while reducing heavy traffic. Most kitchens use these to hold crates of ingredients, meat, poultry, fish, produce. These units are best for large fine-dining restaurants, hotels, hospitality and grocery chains.
• Reach-In Units - Typically constructed with one, two or three sections, a reach-in refrigerator is great for kitchens that need to store prepped items that are easily accessible. By storing it directly in the kitchen, this helps accelerate both prep and service times. These typically hold prepared or plated meat, poultry, fish, produce, sauces, condiments and garnishes. The best use for them are casual and fine-dining restaurants, fast food chains and cafeteria kitchens. If you need more help understanding the difference between a reach-in vs. walk-in unit, check out our guide to help you learn which one is right for you. 
• Merchandisers - A merchandiser is common in grocery stores and markets. It usually has glass doors that allow customers to look at products like packaged food and beverages inside the unit. You can choose a model with multiple sections and a narrow design to help maximize aisle space. These are essential for grocery stores, convenient stores, liquor stores and grab-and-go markets.
• Display Cases - Like a merchandiser, a display case lets customers view items as they cool. Bakery models are used to hold everything from perishable pastries to cakes, while deli options typically cool down meats and cheese, packaged foods or beverages. Display cases are the best option for bakeries, delis, grocery stores, convenient stores, liquor stores and grab-and-go markets.
• Undercounter Units -  An undercounter refrigerator can be used in the kitchen to store small ingredients for food prep and plating, or it can be placed under the counter at a restaurant bar to hold drinks. You can opt for a model with stainless steel doors or glass doors if you’d like the unit to act as a compact merchandiser. Find these units holding packaged snack foods, ingredients and beverages. The best businesses to utilize these are taverns, restaurant bars, cafes, offices and break rooms.
• Back-Bar Coolers - Similar to an undercounter unit, a back-bar cooler is used by bars to chill everything from wine and soda to bottles and cans of beer. Most options have two or three sections, but you can find models with a single section or as many as four sections. These coolers are beneficial for restaurant bars, cafes, lounges, taverns and more.
• Prep Tables - This table unit is placed in prep stations, letting you refrigerate prepared ingredients in one place. For example, a pizza place can use the refrigerator to cool all its toppings and conveniently access them while making a pizza. Available with additional cabinet space, a prep table can also be used for sandwiches, salads and other signature dishes. You can find these units in foodservice places serving pizza, sandwiches, salads or signature dishes with prepared ingredients.
• Blast Chillers - These specialty refrigeration units are essential for rapidly cooling down hot food to safe storage temperatures. This means food can be prepped ahead of time while still being able to maintain safety and quality. Blast chillers can be an essential unit for restaurants, bakeries, hotels, and catering kitchens. 
• Thawing Cabinets - While thawing cabinets are also part of the refrigeration family, these are speciality units that are made for a specific purpose. Thawing cabinets are meant to safely and efficiently thaw frozen foods with precision and control. They help keep food out of the “danger zone” while allowing kitchens to thaw products on a routine schedule. These units help optimize kitchen workflow in restaurants, butcher shops, food production facilities, catering companies, bakeries and more. 

Types of Doors

Believe it or not, commercial refrigerators can have different options when it comes to the doors. Below are types of configurations and constructions to consider:

• Pass-thru doors – These are located on the front and rear of a reach-in unit, allowing staff members access the refrigerator simultaneously. This is ideal for positioning each door in the prep and server stations of a kitchen.
• Swinging doors – Swinging doors are very similar to a home refrigerator. They swing open, so you can easily load and unload ingredients.
• Glass doors – With glass, you can view products consistently. That means staff will not have to consistently open the doors to check what is available.
• Stainless steel doors – The solid construction provides more insulation, keeping products cooler and the unit more energy efficient.

Key Features

Do you want all the bells and whistles? Or are you hoping for a bit of new technology to help streamline kitchen operations? Looking into the latest technology and key features of equipment are essential when shopping. Some key features you should be aware of are:

• Digital controls - These are great for commercial spaces that want more features like temperature holds, programmable modes and more. Digital controls can allow for easier adjustments and troubleshooting, making them essential for any commercial kitchen or space that wants to have updated and efficient equipment. 
• Smart connectivity/Monitoring - Smart connectivity or monitoring can be extremely helpful in automating and simplifying kitchen maintenance and operations. Factors like temperature change alerts or energy use data can mean easier control over the environment. Think about adaptive controls and smart technology if you want to have a unit that makes kitchen management easier. 
• Door alarms - Having a door alarm is great for larger kitchens that have a lot of people opening and closing the doors. An alarm will sound if someone accidentally leaves the door open, saving temperature, energy and the produce inside. This feature might be essential for you to have on the refrigerator you choose if you are worried about mistakes. 
• Optimized storage - It isn’t just the outside that needs consideration when deciding on the type of commercial refrigerator. What kinds of products are going to be held in the unit? Some units have interior configurations that are optimized for specific products. If you plan to use it mainly to hold produce and ingredients versus finished dishes, take that into consideration during your shopping. 
• Energy efficiency - Don’t forget about energy usage. If you want your commercial space to be energy efficient, the size and features of your unit will make a huge impact. How much energy a refrigerator uses depends on the size you choose and whether it is optimized with newer energy-saving technology. Choosing the right size for your commercial space can make a huge difference in electricity and energy usage. 

Glass vs. Solid Door

Choosing between types of commercial refrigerators means choosing between glass or solid doors. So which door is right for your commercial space? That depends on what you are looking for. Below we can help break down the benefits of glass doors for certain commercial businesses and the upside of solid door refrigerators for other spaces. 

• Glass doors - These units allow you to see the contents inside. Glass doors are typically found on merchandisers and display cases and contain pre-made and packaged foods and drinks. They are typically for customers to be able to access products themselves or see items they want to have as a staff package for them. Businesses like delis, convenience stores, gas stations, school/office/hospital cafeterias, bakeries/cafes, grocery stores and some specialty drink shops. 
• Solid doors - Solid door refrigerators are better for insulation and keeping temperatures stable. These are better for spaces that need durability and easy cleaning. Solid doors are better for back of house operations that need stable temperatures for finished dishes and ingredients. 

Top vs Bottom Mount Condenser

A serious consideration you need to think about when shopping for commercial refrigerators is what kind of condenser mounting you might need. There are two types of mounting styles and each with their pros and cons:

• Top mount condenser - Located on the top of refrigerators, units with a top mount usually have less clogging from dust, flour, or grease. They keep heat discharge upward, helping reduce the temperature impact on kitchens. However, you need to consider that these are harder to clean, and also might increase the cost of the unit. Refrigerators with a top mount are great for hot kitchens to reduce temperature changes.  
• Bottom mount condenser - Many units also have bottom mounted condensers, which are easy to access for cleaning. They clog faster in a greasy or dusty kitchen and pull in air closer to the floor. These condensers are great for areas like front-of-house that need easy access for maintenance.

Air Cooled vs. Remote Cooled Systems

Another consideration when choosing a refrigerator is whether you want one that has air cooled or remote cooled systems. Air cooled systems have the condenser and compressor built into the unit, usually at the top or bottom. These units release heat into the immediate room and typically make more noise than remote cooled systems. However, they are quick and easy to install, easy and cheap to maintain and typically have a lower upfront cost. These units are great for small/medium sized restaurants, cafes or bakeries that need simple and easy to maintain refrigeration units.

Meanwhile, remote cooled systems have the condenser and compressor located away from the unit, often on the roof or outside and connected via refrigerant lines. These release heat outside the building or away from the workspace, allowing for cooler indoor temperatures. Remote cooled systems need professional installation and maintenance. They provide energy efficiency and help keep hot kitchens cooler. These are best for large commercial kitchens, grocery stores or high-volume foodservice businesses. 

Sizing, Spacing & Layout

An essential factor to consider before buying a commercial refrigerator is what size you need and will it be right for your space? If your kitchen needs to refrigerate a lot of product, a larger unit is what you’ll have to look at. How big is the space you have to use for refrigeration? Measuring the space ahead of time will allow you to know what is too small and what is too big.

There’s also choosing between one or two door refrigerators. One door means that it opens only in one direction, so it will require less space. Two door refrigerators will require more space from other units since it opens on both sides. Kitchens need to have walkways and enough space for people to move around, so factor that in before making any decisions. 

Don’t forget that the kitchen layout matters. When laying out a commercial kitchen, you want to have hot zones and cold zones. This means that cold units like refrigerators or prep tables should be in the same area and equipment like fryers or ovens should be placed together. Keeping equipment spaced according to their temperature can help them operate better and stay regulated. 

Purchasing Options

Choosing a type refrigeration unit is only one of a few different choices you need to make about your unit. Many commercial kitchens have the option to rent, buy, buy used or lease to own their commercial equipment. Each different purchasing option has their own benefit. Read up more about the purchasing options for commercial equipment and get advice on the right choice for your needs with our helpful consideration guide. 

• Renting - This can cut down on initial costs, saving newer businesses money at the start. It also is great for equipment that you only require temporarily and can help save on maintenance costs. The downside is that renting can add up over time. 
• Buying - Buying equipment can be a great option for commercial kitchens that want to avoid monthly payments. It also means that you own the unit so you don’t have to worry about contracts or fees. 
• Buying used - Another great way to purchase commercial equipment. Used or refurbished equipment can be cost-effective for kitchens that want to own their appliances while still cutting costs. 
• Lease to own - Lease to own is also a great cost-effective option for kitchens that can’t afford a large price tag to start. Leasing to own takes longer than purchasing outright, but means there is an end to monthly payments eventually. 

Refrigeration Installation

When deciding on a commercial refrigerator, think about the installation needs that you will have. Some important information to have readily available for a technician during installation:

• Refrigerator dimensions
• Make/Model number
• Serial number
• Exact location
• Refrigerant type
• Voltage requirements
• Drain line requirements
• Drain line location
• Condenser location
• Cooling system

For contacting a technician, it depends on your unit. Some brands require a brand-specific authorized service technician, so searching online for an approved one is the best option. For other units that don’t require brand-trained techs, a local authorized service technician can handle your refrigeration needs. 

Refrigeration Maintenance

Regular cleaning and maintenance ensures that your refrigeration unit is staying energy efficient and keeping product cool. Whichever type of commercial refrigerator you choose, cleaning the essentials like the interior, exterior, condenser coils and gaskets will help prolong the life of your unit. If you need a guide to walk you through all the essential preventative maintenance steps, check out our commercial refrigeration maintenance guide for help.